Sleeping Man Shot In The Butt During Attempted Prank

Police say they have charged Patrick Stapleton, of Ashland, Virginia, with second degree assault and reckless endangerment for the shooting. (Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police)

Police say a 22-year-old man has been charged for shooting another man as he attempted to pull a prank on him.

Police say they have charged Patrick Stapleton, of Ashland, Virginia, with second degree assault and reckless endangerment for the shooting.

According to authorities, the incident happened at 3:50 a.m. Wednesday in the 1300 block of Burton River Road in Lothian. When police officers arrived at the scene, they found the 21-year-old victim suffering from a possible gunshot wound to the lower torso (buttocks) area.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Prince GeorgeÆs Hospital Center, where he is currently being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Police say Stapleton, another male, and one 17-year-old woman were inside the home when the shooting occurred. They were taken to Southern District Station to be interviewed by detectives.

They told police that the victim had been in an upstairs bedroom by himself when they heard a loud pop, officials say.

However, through a further investigation, detectives determined that Stapleton had attempted to pull a prank on the victim while he was sleeping. They say he grabbed a .40 caliber handgun, which he believed was a BB gun, and fired one round at the victim.

During their investigation, detectives also discovered that those at the residence had known each other before the incident occurred. The victim and Stapleton were guests.

Police say the handgun was legally owned by the homeownerÆs son, who was not involved in the shooting.

The actual homeowner was not present during the incident, police say.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call, email, or text your tip to Metro Crime Stoppers Hotline Available 24-Hours A Day Toll Free at 1-866-7LOCKUP or Text ôMCS plus your messageö to CRIMES (274637).